FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Information & Privacy Unit

As part of the Support Services Division, the Information and Privacy Unit's mandate is to ensure Abbotsford Police Department compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other statutes.

The Act provides two basic rights for members of the public:

the right to access information in government records

the right to have personal information protected from unauthorized collection, use and disclosure

How to make a Freedom of Information Request

A request to access information under the Act must be made in writing. You may use a Request for Access to Records Form or simply send a signed letter.

The Information and Privacy Section also accepts and acknowledges requests for information or other correspondence by fax as well as e-mail.

If you would like to make a request for information, please attend or write to the following address:

Requests may also be faxed to the Information and Privacy Section at 604-859-4812. Additionally the Request for Access to Records form can be found by clicking here. The form must be printed, filled out in full and sent along with a copy of government issued picture ID. The request can also be emailed to foi@abbypd.ca

Please make your request as specific as possible. If available, please provide case numbers, exact dates and addresses as well as names or numbers of the officers involved. This will assist us in conducting an accurate search for the requested information. Under the Act public bodies have 30 business days to respond to your request and in certain circumstances a 30 day business day extension may apply.

Personal Information

If you request personal records about yourself, your identity will have to be verified to ensure that access is being provided to the right person. You will be asked to produce personal identification such as a driver’s license or a passport. If your request involves accessing information in government records you will not be required to provide proof of identity.

Information That Will Not Be Provided

If the record you request contains personal information about someone else, and it would be an unreasonable invasion of that person’s personal privacy to provide that personal information, access to that information will not be granted without written consent or a Court Order.

If the record you request contains sensitive law enforcement information that would harm a law enforcement matter if released, we do not have to provide that part of the requested record.

The Act contains other exemptions that may have to be considered depending on the nature of the request.

Fees

The FOIPP Act provides individuals with access to their own personal information free of charge. Access to other information may be subject to a fee.

If you are not satisfied with the Department’s response to your request you can ask the BC Information and Privacy Commissioner to review the Abbotsford Police Department’s decisions about your request.

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